Baby Talk in the Health Debate

Naftali Bendavid reports from the Capitol Critics sometimes suggest that someone on the House floor is acting like a baby. At one point in today’s heated health care debate, it was literally true. Rep. John Shadegg , an Arizona Republican, held up his granddaughter Maddy, who appeared to be several months old, as he attacked the Democrats’ health bill. “Maddy believes in freedom,” Mr. Shadegg said, as his granddaughter reached toward the microphone. “Maddy likes America because we have freedom.” He added, “She came here to say she doesn’t want the government to take over health care … She doesn’t want a health care bill that will cost $1.5 trillion.” And he said that if the bill passes, Maddy knows her mother will lose her health insurance. Maddy was remarkable well-behaved, holding a plastic toy and not shouting or calling out, unlike some of the House members at other points during the debate. When Rep. Henry Waxman (D., ... (link)